Mobile Check-in

I have used mobile check-in at 2 hotels that I frequently stay at - one in California and one in DC - in both cases my room was ready when I arrived AND in both cases the room assigned to me was the worst room I have ever had (low floor, no view, no balcony, etc.) I have ever had at each of those hotels. For now, I will forgo mobile check-in. Are others having the same experience?

Just last month I used mobile check-in for the Victoria Inner Harbour Marriott in Victoria, BC. I was travelling over via ferry from Port Angeles, WA. For me, it worked very smoothly. I was given a lovely room with a balcony facing the Empress and the Parliament Buildings. The key was ready when I arrived. Also of note, the restaurant food is excellent in my opinion and the Concierge Lounge has lovely views and very hearty offerings for breakfast and in the evening.

Both times I have used mobile check-in I've been pleasantly surprised as it all worked, room upgrade and also a quick key ready for us to be off to the elevator. That said, it is my experience and not what all Insiders have found I would bet.

I haven't used mobile check-in yet, so I too am very interested in everyone's experiences, thanks for posting. I couldn't find this post in Activity (and I had just seen it, earlier this morning). I now realize what madmax was writing about when she highlighted that without signing in,you can't use Activity, and without keeping the hotel reviews, you can only scroll back a few posts, so I struggled finding this post (and questions are even harder to find since they don't have a scrolling link of their own).

Anyway to get back to mobile check in; out of fear that this post will just fade away, here's an additional mobile check in issue: has anyone used these mobile only apps in Last Minute bookings (hotel tonight - noon the day of / hipmunk 3 days in advance)? I'm hoping by keeping the post in view, we'll get more answers about the Marriott check-in experiences. So join in folks, keep this post alive. I'd like to know the odds before I leave the comfort of my low tech A.G.Bell jitterbug type cell phone. Thanks wtb for posting.

iahflyr - as my high tech guru (a lawnmower gives me trouble while you man the big jets) how about test 'flying' these (perhaps not as risky as Chuck Yeager, but still greatly appreciated, you don't have to book the room, just check the rates, see what's what - thanks)

Uh oh, well that's another fine mess I've gotten us in. I know this mobile check-in is the future and I picture myself waiting in line in the lobby for my murphy bed hotel room over the air conditioner units, next to the ice machine. As General McAuliffe said, "Nuts".

erc I found the same thing with the latest update. In my opinion, the default should be without reviews since that is what we were all complaining about. If I select WITHOUT REVIEWS, I only get a few posts and so am still missing most. merb

I am not interested in Mobil Checkin as of now but will follow the posts until they disappear.

This is the way I'm currently leaning. As a late adopter, ironically, learning early on from Mr. Marriott of all folks, that "there are a lot of pioneers with arrows in their back", I'm going to wait until nanaglo's and iahflyr's outcome is more the rule than the exception. Of course, if all the great rooms start going to the mobile players (the new target audience), then I'd better be prepared to jump on the bandwagon, thus my interest in monitoring current results. Thanks all.

Good points misterchk and marriottmember about human interaction (I'm leisure travel finally, so what the heck, people are part of the experience...now ).

This appears to be where it's all headed. The only thing that may keep desktop (and therefore, front desk human contact) in the game is what the last few paragraphs talk about; millions of workers still use desktops at work. Marriott, having a legacy business, most likely won't eliminate desktop usage, but I'm confident they will be (and can certainly understand why) an aggressive leader in mobile app techniques.

Just remember that if we do NOT like the room we're pre-assigned, we can always ask to be moved to another 'better' room. I certainly have used that option more than once after checking in directly at the front desk usually with quite good results (as opposed to the mobile check-in which as I already reported I was given an excellent accommodation in the first place and didn't need to ask to be moved).

When I arrive at a hotel after a long flight and/or a long business day, the last thing I want to do is go up to a room, decide I don't approve, go back downstairs and change. ESPECIALLY when the hotel was insensitive to the status I have achieved being loyal to their brand.

I reiterate, until the hotel's systems are programmed to identify it's important customers MOBILE CHECK ISN'T IN THE BEST INTEREST of Platinum members.

ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL - GO TO THE FRONT DESK - SAY HERE I AM - GIVE ME THE BEST ROOM YOU HAVE - FINISHED!!!!!!!!!

No, I don't think I missed the "point". As I said in my first response far above, my experience, though only once thus far, was EXCELLENT. I think everyone might consider giving mobile check-in a try once or twice and then decide for themselves before they throw in the towel.

Yes, and everyone please stop back to this post and let us know how you early adopters fare. Man, I just barely learned how to program my VCR. That smart phone intimidates me, so if I'm going to buck up and face that learning curve, I want to make certain you guys are satisfied with your outcomes. Thanks

I have used it many times now. The hotel personnel states its easier for them to decide who goes where when you use it. Although I have not a very good experience with it at the hotel I stay at each week. I have had better experiences with it when I stay elsewhere. Its all hit or miss depending on the hotel. I really see no point in it.

Used it for the first time today. Got upgraded to concierge level without asking, but was slated for two queens. Asked for a king. Done. Easy. Oh, and I checked in 5 hours before posted check-in (during a Big 10 Football weekend.) I like it. Lots.

What I have gleaned from this thread and my own personal experience is that when you check in using the mobile app you get the room choice that closest to your room preference in your online profile.

What I am also starting to understand is that some brands treat your personal preferences like orders from on high and other brands use it as a starting point. You usually can make changes easier checking in at the front desk then when using the mobile app but sometimes it doesn't matter what you do you will get stuck with the rooms that your preference dictates that you have.

I stayed at the Teaneck Marriott in New Jersey and was hoping for two queen size beds hotel rooms but ended up with a single king because in my preference it said that I was more concerned with floor selection than room type. So I ended up having to rent two more hotel rooms to accommodate the extra number of people in my party. You would think something so little as floor preference wouldn't have such a large financial outcome but it did.